Once your student’s reading has been assessed, one should analyze their writing abilities and struggles. Using a rubric, like the one below, your student’s writing should be analyzed on various levels such as overall development, organization, and support for content, word choice, sentence structure, and mechanics. The results of your analysis should be used to plan instruction. For example, if your analysis reveals a student’s weakness in supporting and organizing their writing, instruction should be centered on creating and using graphic organizers appropriately. If your analysis reveals a student’s weakness in mechanics, you may suggest that your student read their paper aloud, or you may choose to read it for them, emphasizing this lack of punctuation, or use of inappropriate punctuation or sentence structure.
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Focus on idea (content)
There is one clear,well-focused topic. Relevant information supports the central theme.
Main idea is clear,but the supporting information is general.
Main idea is some- what clear, butthere is a need formore supporting information.
The main idea is notclear. There is aseemingly random collection of information.
Conventions
Good grasp of standard writing conventions including: spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, paragraphing, etc. Fewer than 4 errors
Reasonable grasp of standard writing conventions including: spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, paragraphing, etc. 5 to 10 errors.
Poor grasp of standard writing conventions including: spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, paragraphing, etc. More than 10 errors.
Repeated errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, paragraphing, etc. are distracting and make the text difficult to read.
Presentation
The form and presentation of the text enhances the reading experience. It is pleasing to the eye.
The format makes the writer’s message clear.
The format is distracting and detracts from the reader’s experience.
There is no clear format or text presentation.
Sequencing (organization)
Details are placed in a logical order and the way they are presented effectively keeps the interest of the reader.
Details are placed ina logical order, butthe way they arepresented sometimesmakes the writingless interesting.
Some details are not in a logical or expected order, and this distracts the reader.
Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized.
Flow & rhythm (sentence fluency)
All sentences have an easy flow, rhythm and cadence. Each sentenceis clear and invites expressive oral reading.
Almost all sentenceshave an easy flow, rhythm and cadence, but 1 or 2are awkward or difficult tounderstand.
Most sentences have an easy flow, rhythm and cadence, but several areawkward or difficultto understand.
The sentences are difficult to read aloud because they sound awkward, are distractingly repetitive, or difficult to understand.
Word choice
Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, and the choice and placement of the words seems accurate, natural, and not forced.
Writer uses vivid words and phrases that linger or draw pictures in the reader's mind, but occasionally the words are used inaccurately or seem overdone.
Writer uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety, punch, or flair.
Writer uses a limited vocabulary, which does not communicate strongly or capture the reader's interest. Jargon or clichés may be present and detract from the meaning.
(content)
Relevant information supports the central theme.
information is
general.
information.
collection of
information.
(organization)
a logical order and
the way they are
presented effectively
keeps the interest of
the reader.
in a logical or
expected order, and
this distracts the
reader.
in a logical or
expected order. There
is little sense that the
writing is organized.
(sentence fluency)
difficult tounderstand.
difficult to read aloud
because they sound
awkward, are
distractingly
repetitive, or difficult
to understand.
words and phrases
that linger or draw
pictures in the
reader's mind, and the
choice and placement
of the words seems
accurate, natural, and
not forced.
words and phrases
that linger or draw
pictures in the
reader's mind, but
occasionally the
words are used
inaccurately or seem
overdone.
that communicate
clearly, but the
writing lacks variety,
punch, or flair.
vocabulary, which
does not
communicate
strongly or capture
the reader's interest.
Jargon or clichés may
be present and
detract from the
meaning.
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